Sri Lankan Refugee Who Migrated to Norway as a Child Becomes Minister: Kamzy Gunaratnam

13-Sep-2026

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Kamzy Gunaratnam, who arrived in Norway as a three-year-old refugee due to the civil war in Sri Lanka, has been appointed Minister of Transport of Norway.

Accordingly, Gunaratnam will be responsible for the ministry overseeing Norway's highways, railways, aviation and maritime transport.

Gunaratnam, 38, who represents the Labour Party in the Norwegian Parliament, was appointed Minister of Transport at a Cabinet meeting held the day before yesterday and assumed duties on the same day.

As part of a wide-ranging Cabinet reshuffle carried out by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Gunaratnam has replaced Jon-Ivar Nygård, who had served as Minister of Transport since October 2021.

Commenting on the appointment, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stated that Gunaratnam had previously handled the responsibilities entrusted to her with political effectiveness and a strong sense of responsibility, and that she would now be responsible for the transport sector, which plays a key role in connecting the country.